2007 Saturn Aura

Rise and shine!

"Aura" is not just the name of newest sedan, but also neatly encapsulates the division's hope for this entry — that the magic from this handsome 4-door will rub off on the rest of the lineup.

The story here is that this "different kind of company" is now selling products with a definite European flavor as part of a broader product-sharing strategy between it and Opel. While the Aura rides on the same 112.3-in. Epsilon wheelbase as the and Malibu Maxx, the exterior styling, interior fitments and driving dynamics give the impression that it is totally different.

It starts with the shape that has a strong arch to the greenhouse and long rear doors that recall the . The detailing is impressive, from the larger projector-beam headlamps to the use of chromed accents on the window surround, side molding and door handles on the upscale XR model. The Aura even has side-marker lamps required in Europe, but not America. They're used anyway for this not-for-export model just to convey an import image. Even the smallest detail is not overlooked, including lips instead of plain cutouts over the exhaust tips.

Inside, the rich look of the concept car has been faithfully executed in our test vehicle, which was equipped with the textured two-tone Moroccan leather interior. The dash is covered with high-quality, soft-touch materials and even the center stack, which is usually done up in matte black, has a textured gray finish. The analog instruments have carbon-fiber facing in the center, a white background behind the graphics, and lighted instrument pointers. The fit and finish are top-notch — even the base XE model has the same level of attention to interior detail, but offers up cloth seats (with a heat option) instead of the leather.

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The doors and rear decklid close with resounding thunks. This carved-from-billet feel to the body is reinforced out on the open road, where the cabin is Lexus-quiet, thanks to the use of acoustic laminated glass on the front doors and windshield as well as the extensive use of silent steel (a steel-and-composite sandwich) in the firewall.

The base XE model is equipped with a 3.5-liter pushrod V-6 making 224 bhp and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic. The XR has a 3.6-liter dohc V-6 with variable valve timing that makes 252 bhp and 251 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a 6-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted sequential paddle shifters.

Riding on standard 18-in. wheels with P225/50R-18 performance tires, the Aura feels surefooted with nicely controlled body movements over twists and turns. The long wheelbase also helps the ride — it's a nice blend of Euro taut with American comfort. The steering is a hydraulic-boosted rack-and-pinion system, which has better feel and more precise action than the electric boost found in base Malibu and G6 models. The Aura not only looks sharp, it handles sharp, a reassuring combination from a maker that in the past seemed to have a problem putting both elements together in the same vehicle.

While the Aura represents a new direction for Saturn — eschewing polymer body panels, for example — it does deliver on one of the brand's founding tenets: tremendous value. The base price of our test car with the up-level V-6 and 6-speed automatic is just $23,945. With the addition of leather seating ($800), power seats and pedals ($425), the four-panel panoramic roof ($1500, although a less expensive standard opening is also available), XM radio ($199) and the Moroccan leather ($100) and embossed floormats (another $100), the price of this fully loaded Aura including delivery is $27,719, fully competitive with loaded and and less than a comparably equipped . The only features lacking and not available from Saturn are dual-zone air conditioning, onboard navigation and the rear-seat DVD player you could get in the previous L-Series.

The Aura delivers solid road manners, great looks inside and out and tremendous value. As the name implies, it's the perfect halo car for the new Saturn.